Friday, 6 February 2026

Friday Homework for Lesson 353: Brick and Cross Filling Stitch

The Brick and Cross Filling Stitch is not only attractive but also airy, as there is a bit of space around each cross, them being smaller than the block of bars. 

Like all canvas stitches, the Brick and Cross Filling Stitch is difficult to work on plain weave if you aim for a neat and tidy look. I used waste canvas to make the job easier. Unfortunately, I marked the waste canvas incorrectly, so on the Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart, the stitches are packed like sardines in a can.

I also filled a square on my Canvas Sampler and made a wonky version, on purpose, for a wild look.


Aida Sampler



Sunday Stitch School Reference Chart (the can of sardines)



Red Kimono Silk Scribble Cloth


It looks like the waste canvas did nothing to help make the stitches even. The truth is, rather, that many of the stitches were forcefully tugged out of place. Why? 

Well, as you know, the way to remove the threads of the waste canvas, once the stitching is complete, is to spray water on the canvas. The more water, the easier it is to pull out the threads. 

Unfortunately, the red fabric I stitched on is SILK and should not be exposed to water. The mist I sprayed on was just a small dose, and it wasn't enough to remove the starch from the waste canvas weft and warp threads. So I tugged and tugged, but the starch was stronger than me until I put in more force, and as a result, the stitches look ruffled.


Canvas Sampler




Wild and Wonky Freehand Bricks and Crosses



6 comments:

Janie said...

I like all your samples with different threads and fabrics, each is unique in its own way.

Pamela said...

I like this stitch and will look for a way to use it.

Rachel said...

It is a pretty stitch, though, even wild and wonky or pulled out of shape!

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

I quite like the can of sardines.

Angela said...

You know that the wild and wonky appeals to me the most!

Toki said...

It's interesting because it looks like ancient writing.